Anxieties and distress of mind began to affect her health, and the old people noticing her pale face and haggard look, besought her not to overwork herself by her constant labours among the poor. Talking of these labours the name of Gertie Heckett came up one morning at breakfast. Ruth, with a blush of shame, confessed she had not seen the child for a fortnight. Mr. Adrian was astonished. ‘Why, my dear,’ he said kindly, ‘I thought little Gertie was your favourite pupil.’ ‘So she was, papa; but I—I haven’t been well enough to go there lately.’ Ruth stammered and blushed, for the fact had dawned upon her that she was neglecting Gertie, and leaving the child alone and exposed to the pernicious influences of her old surroundings. ‘I have put my hand to the plough and turned back,’ she thought. Already the influence of Marston was asserting itself. To her dread of meeting him she had sacrificed the little friendless child whose future so much depended on her constant care. ‘I will hesitate no longer,’ said Ruth to herself. ‘It is the Lord who has flung this man across the pathway of my life again. With God’s help it shall be for good and not for evil.’ Later in the day, as Gertie sat upstairs talking to Lion of the good lady that never came now, Ruth Adrian pushed the door open and walked in quietly. Gertie, with a cry of delight, jumped up and ran to her, lifting her little face to Ruth, and Lion, leaping up, placed his huge forepaws on her shoulder, and gave a deep bark of welcome. ‘Oh, Miss Adrian!’ exclaimed Gertie, as with flushed, happy cheeks she sat down by Ruth’s side and gently drew Lion down into his proper place in the ‘class,’ ‘we were afraid you were ill. Lion and I have watched day after day, and we’ve said our lessons over for fear we should forget them.’ It was Gertie’s firm belief that Lion did say his lessons, and that his education was progressing rapidly. If he didn’t understand everything she told him about history and geography, why did he always wag his tail? ‘And do you know, Miss Adrian,’ Gertie went on, when Ruth had explained her absence as well as she could, ‘the parrot’s getting much better. He swears a little still, but I’ve taught him some good words, and he uses them now instead of the bad ones.’ ‘Bless your eyes!’ shrieked Polly, rubbing his beak against the cage. ‘That’s much better than what he used to say about our eyes,’ said Gertie, delighted at Polly’s attainments. ‘Very much,’ answered Miss Adrian, with a smile. ‘But I suppose he isn’t quite cured yet.’ ‘Oh, no, not quite, but nearly. You know I fancy grandfather made him swear, and grandfather’s very little here now. Since that gentleman——’ Gertie hesitated. Child as she was she remembered that Miss Adrian had seemed distressed at the sight of Marston. ‘Go on,’ said Ruth, taking Gertie’s hand in hers and listening with a heightened colour. ‘What about that gentleman?’